Box making machine



Fgb. 16, 1937. N. A. ANDERSON BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5Sheets-Sheet 1 N nml INVENTOR A215 /4 HNDEEjUN H/5 ATTORNEY Feb. 16,1937.

N. A. ANDERSON BOX MAKING, MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2lllllllllllllllllll! lllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllillllINVENTOR N115 A-rQ/VDE H/5 ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937. N. A. ANDERSON BOX-MAKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR NEL5AANDE/Pj BY J H/5 ATTORNEY BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed ApriL. 15, 1936 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR NELfi A ,4/VDEP50/V H/fi ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1937.

N. A. ANDERSON BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed April 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR N615 A A/VDBZSON BY 6% dluk ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 16,1937

UNITED STATES Box MAKING MACHINE Nels A. Anderson, Stockton, Calif.,assignor to Fibreboard Products, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., acorporation of Delaware Application April 13, 1936, Serial No. 74,118

14 Claims.

My invention relates to box making machines, and more particularly to amachine for applying tabs to box blanks.

The broad object of my invention is to provide a machine for applyingseparate tabs to the inner surfaces of a box blank such as the tabs inthe box construction disclosed in the patent to David H. Patterson, No.2,001,850, issued May 21, 1935.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the characterdescribed which will operate in conjunction with other machinesperforming operations on the blank, so that the blanks are formed andthe tabs applied in one direct line of operation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limitmyself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adoptvariant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a machine embodying the improvements of myinvention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view on smaller scale, showing one of the box blankswith the tabs fastened v in position.

ing toward the tab chute and showing the adjust- Figure 3 is afragmentary plan view on larger scale, showing one of the tab fasteningunits.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the ma:

chine.

Figure 5 is a side view, largely diagrammatic, showing the blank andtabs in position for fastening. I

Figure 6 is a rear elevationalview of the machine; and a Figure '1 is adetail view on larger scale showing the tab feeding and staplingmechanism.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view looking features.

In terms of broad inclusion, the box making machine for applying tabs toa box blank em bodying my invention comprises means for feeding a tabinto a fastening position, means for feeding a blank into the 'machine,means for moving the blank into registration with the tab, and means forfastening the tab to' the blank. The blank feeding means is preferablyan extension of the same intermittently moving conveyor which feeds theblanks through the creasing and slotting machines; and means areprovided in my machine for timing the variousoperations with thisconveyor.

In greater detail, and referring particularly to Figure 2 of thedrawings, the box making ma.- chine of my invention is designed to applyseparate tabs 2 on the inner flap surfaces of a box blank 3, so thatwhen the latter is set up the tabs lie in the spaces between the flapsto provide a flat or level bottom. The advantage of such a boxconstruction is that articles, such as cans, may be packed without thetilting which occurs in the usual packing box. I

As best shown in Figure 4, my machine comprises a frame 4 adapted to'bepositioned at the end of the line containing the creasing and slottingmachines. The conveyor chain 6 having pusher lugs 1 which feeds theblanks through the creasing and slotting machines is extended to alsoprovide the means for feeding the blanks through my machine. A track 8is mounted on frame 4 for' the chain, and sprockets 9 are journaledpnthe end of the frame over which the chain may run. An inclined returntrack II is also provided on the frame, along with a return guide themachine is preferably designed to fasten each i tab with a single staplel5 positioned centrally of the tab. See Figure 2.

Asshown in Figure '1, there are four tab placing units, two beingarranged on each side of the centrally disposed conveyor track 8. Theseunits, as better shown in Figure 3, are each mounted on a plate l4suspended by brackets I6 slidable on cross rod l1 and shaft l8 extendingtransversely of the frame. shown in' Figure 1, a guide plate I9 isprovided on each'unit fordirecting the edges of the blanks as the latterare pushed through the machine by the conveyor. These plates arepermitted a certain degree of separate adjustment by slots 2| in thesupporting plate, through which the fastening studs pass. See Figure 3.'

The units as a whole-are adjustablefltoward and away from each other andtransversely of the frameby the slidable-mounting of brackets 16; Eachunit maybe lockedin a selected position 'of adjustment by set screws 22threaded in the brackets and bearing against the cross rods II. Thisadjustment permits the machine to accommodate blanks of different size.

Referring to Figures 3 and '7, a supply of tabs 2 are held on each ofthe placing units in a vertical chute formed by corner bars 23. Sincetabs of different size may be used, the inside corner bars are fastenedto blocks 24 slidable on rods 26. See Figure 8. Adjustment is effectedby a screw 2'! having right and left hand threads and rotatable by aknob 28. This simultaneous adjustment keeps the two corner barsaccurately centered.

After adjusting these bars to the width of a tab, the outside cornerbars are brought up to the other two corners of the tab. This adjustmentis permitted by a mounting bracket 29 fastened by studs 3| extendingthrough slots 32 provided in the base plate I4. Slots are also providedin the block through which studs 33 extend, so that the corner bars mayalso be adjusted toward and away from each other.

The tabs are removed one at a time from the bottom of the chute and fedto a tab fastening position under the stapling head 34. Removal of onetab at a time is insured by a block 36 adjustable by a screw 37 so thatbut a single tab can pass out under it. The tab feeding means comprisesa shoe 38 having a notched toe for engaging behind a tab, and alsohaving a sloping surface free to slide back under the stack in thechute. Ihis shoe is mounted under the chute in a slot 39 provided in thebase plate I4, and is adjustablyheld by a screw 4| on a reciprocatingblock 42 slidably mounted under the plate on rods 43.

Means are provided for reciprocating shoe 38 to feed the tabs out ofthe'chute. For this purpose a short shaft 44 is journaled in the bracketI6, and is connected to shaft l8 by a pair of bevel gears 46, one ofwhich is slidably mounted on the cross shaft in a keyway 41. A faceplate 48 is provided on the inner end of shaft 44, on which a dependingrod 49 is eccentrically mounted.

An operative connection between the lower end of this rod and theslidable block 42 is provided by a bell crank journaled on legs 5|depending from the base plate l4. The long arm 52 of the bell crank isconnected to block 42 by a link 53; while the shorter arm 54 is fastenedto the lower end of rod 49 by a pin 56. By this arrangement the tabfeeding shoe 38 is reciprocated whenever shaft I8 is rotated.

Means are provided for disconnecting the shoe in the event a tab shouldbecome stuck or the mechanism otherwise fouled. For this purpose pin 56on the bell crank is releasably held between arm 49 and a pivoted springclosed jaw 51. If theshoe is stopped, pin 56 merely slips down into thelower slot. This frees the bell crank and connected shoe. If desired abell 58, or a switch for ringing a bell, may be mounted on the rod 49 tosignal when the driving connection has been broken. a

As shown in Figure 7, a tab lies between the one in the fasteningposition and the chute. When a new tab is fed from the chute this intermediate tab is advanced to the fastening position. If a wider tab isused this intermediate over the base plate l4 under the stapling head.

These rails are fastened to the supporting blocks 24, so that they areadjusted simultaneously with the chute corner bars. The forward rail hasa sloping surface on which a thin steel plate 6| is secured to overliethe edge of the tab. This insures that the leading edge of the blankwill be directed over the edge of the tab as the blank is fed into themachine.

The stapling head 34 which functions to fasten the tab to the blank maybe of any suitable type. The type shown in outline is of standard designfed by a wire reel 62 and having a reciprocating stapling element 63.Head 34 is secured to a suitable mounting 64 provided on the bracket 16.Figure 3 shows the mounting with the head removed. The mounting isrecessed to receive an operating cam 66 which engages a following rolleron the back side of the stapling head case.

Cam 86 ismounted on a short shaft 61 which is connected with the crossshaft I8 by a pair of bevel gears 68; one of which is also slidablealong the cross shaft. Rotation of shaft l8 therefore also operates todrive the stapling head; and cam 66 is designed to effect the staplingoperation in time with the tab feeding mechanism. The timing is suchthat the stapling head operates after the feeding shoe 38 has advanced atab into its fastening position under the head, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 3 shows the anvil 69 under the stapling head for clinching thestaples. This anvil extends through a hole in the base plate l4 and issupported by an arm H cast as part of the bracket I6. This arm alsoserves as a support for the plate I4, screws 12 being provided forfastening the plate to the arm. As shown in Figure 7, a pin 13 is alsoarranged under the plate and is adapted to project through the latterthrough a hole 14.

The pin is mounted on the end of a rocker arm 16 pivoted to leg 5| andheld in retracted position by a spring I1. A roller 18 on the rod 49serves to engage the rocker arm and elevate pin 13 when rod 49 comesdown after a stapling operation. Pin 13 functions to lift the leadingedge of the fastened tab over the forward guide rail 59, so that the tabwill clear the rail when the blank is moved ahead.

The stapling units are connected in pairs, as shown in Figure l, andmeans are provided for adjusting the pairs toward and away from eachother. For this purpose the end brackets I9 for supporting the ends ofcross rod l1 and shaft l8 are slidably mounted on the frame 4.Adjustment is efiected by a second cross shaft 8| journaled in thebrackets and having a hand wheel 82. This shaft also carries gears 83meshed with racks 84 provide-d along the sides of the frame.

By this adjustment the units may be brought together or spread apart,longitudinally of the frame.

Means are provided for simultaneously driving all four of the tabfeeding and stapling units. This is done through a shaft 86 journaledalong a side of the frame on standards 81. Each of the cross shafts I8is connected to the-side shaft 86 by a pair of beveled gears 88, one ofwhich is slidable along the cross shaft in a keyway 89 to allow foradjustment: Shaft 86 is in turn connected by gears 9| to another crossshaft 92 at the head end of the frame, which latter shaft is driven bychain 93 and sprockets 94 from a lower shaft 96.

Lower shaft 95 is driven from a loose sprocket 91 connected by a chain98 to a continuously running sprocket 99 connected with the drive shaftin the adjacent slotting machine. Sprocket 91 therefore is alwaysrunning in'time with the conveyor chain 6. A spring pressed clutch diskIIII is slidably mounted for rotation on shaft 96, and is provided withteeth I02 for engagingcomplementary teeth on the loose sprocket 91. Whenthis clutch is engaged the various mechanisms in my machine are broughtinto operation.

Means are provided for moving the blank 3 into accurate registrationwith the tabs 2 after the conveyor chain 6 comes to rest. This isaccomplished by an arm I03 pivoted on the head end of frame 4 andadapted to move from a retracted position behind the .trailing edge ofthe blank when the conveyor is at rest to an upright position ahead ofthe conveyor lug 1. See Figure 5. This insures that the blank willalways be shifted into a predetermined position, and once the tabplacing units are adjusted to the blank in this position, the arm I03subsequently operates to accurately register succeeding blanks with thetabs.

As shown in Figure 6, registering arm I63 is actuated by a bell crankhaving a long arm I64 connected with the registering arm, and having ashort forwardly extending arm carrying a following roller I06 engaging acam I61 on the shaft 96. A spring I68 serves to hold the followingroller against the cam. Cam IE1 is designed to move the registering armI03 from retracted to upright position with a comparatively slow motion,so that the blank is not kicked forwardly, but is brought up slowly to adefinite position as determined by the extended position of theregistering arm.

Since cam I01 is on shaft 96, the registering arm operates insynchronism with the tab placing and fastening mechanisms, and the camis designed to time the arm movement so that it is retracted when thetab feeding shoe 38 is retracted.

Means are provided for controlling the operation of my machine so thatthe several devices come into operation only when a blank is being fedinto the machine. For this purpose a clutch disengaging cam III ismounted on one end of the upper shaft 92, against which a rocker arm IIZhaving a following roller H3 is held by a spring H4. The lower end ofthis arm is shaped to provide a pointed tooth for engaging a notch inthe end of a clutch operating bar II6 which is pivotally supported on alever H1 and carries a suitable roller engaging an annular groove in theclutch sleeve II 8. When bar H6 is pulled back by rocker arm II2, asshown in Figure 6, the clutch is disengaged. This stops the machine; andcam III is designed to disengage the clutch only at such times when thetab feeding shoe 38 and blank registering arm I63 are retracted.

Means actuated by the entrance of a blank into the machine are providedfor conditioning the mechanism to permit engagement of the clutch. Thiscontrol is effected by a finger I I9 lying in the path of movement ofthe .blank and fixed on a cross shaft I2I. An oppositely extending armI22 is also provided on shaft I2I, and carries a chain I23 passing overa roller I24 and connected to the clutch operating bar II6. A secondlever I26 on shaft I2I is pulled down by a spring I21, which keeps chainI23 taut and holds bar II6 up into engagement with the pointed end ofarm II2. This is the condition whenno blank is in the machine and is thecondition when cam I I I can operate to disengage theclutch and stop themechanism.

As a blank is fed into the machine, the leading edge of the blankengages finger II9 and presses it up. This slackens chain I23. Bar II6will not drop from engagement with arm 2 however, because of the tensionin the arm caused by the clutch spring. Slackening of chain I23 merelyconditions the arm so that it is free to drop at such time when theclutch sleeve is backed up slightly to relieve the spring pressure.

Means timed with the conveyor movement is provided for relieving thespring pressure on arm I I6 to allow it to drop from engagement with itsholding arm II2. This means is associated with sprocket 91 which isbeing driven by and in time with the machine which .imparts theintermittent motion to the conveyor chain; and comprises a lug I29mounted on the sprocket and adapted to engage a roller I3I on the clutchdisk I I. When the lug rides under this roller the clutch disk andconnected sleeve I I6 are forced back slightly to relievethe tension inbar I I6. The latter then drops from the holding arm II2 into a yoke I32suspended from the arm, and the clutch immediately engages.

The positioning of the clutch engaging lug I29 on the sprocket 91 isadjusted to engage the clutch at the instant the conveyor stops moving;and the relative speeds of the mechanical parts are so proportioned thatthe operations in my machine are completed during the rest period of theconveyor.

As soon as the tabs are fastened, the conveyor picks up the blank anddischarges it from the machine. The first effect of advancing the blankof course is to allow the control finger II9 to drop down and pull upthe bar H6. At this time the rocker arm II2 is back and ready to engagethe bar for disengaging the clutch.

In brief review, the operation of the machine is as follows: A scoredand slotted box blank 3 is fed into the machine during a period ofadvance- .ment in the intermittent motion of conveyor 6. As the blankenters the machine it presses up the control finger II9, whichconditions the clutch mechanism for operation. This control thereforeallows the stapling units to operate only at such times when a blank isin the machine.

When the conveyor comes to rest clutch operating lug I29 has moved up toand presses out on roller I3I, whereupon holding bar H6 is released andthe clutch engaged. During the first half revolution of the shafts camI01 advances registering arm I03 to shift the blank forwardly intoaccurate registration with the tab placing and stapling units; whichlatter are previously adjusted to the particular size of blank beingtreated.

Simultaneous with the shifting of the blank the tab feeding shoes 38advance to feed a set of tabs 2 into their fastening positions under thestapling heads 34.

During the last half revolution of the shafts, tab feeding shoes 38 andblank registering arm I63 are retracted, and the stapling heads areoperated to fasten the tabs to the blank. Toward the end of this portionof the operation the tab release pin 13 is also elevated to press up theleading edges of the tabs, so that the latter are free to move aheadwith the blank.

By this time, conveyor 6 has started its advanc ing movement and lug 1picks up the blank, advancing it out of the machine. Finger II9immediately drops to pull up bar I I6 for engagement by arm H2, which atthis time is positioned ready to engage it. During the final portion ofthe shaft revolution, cam Ill presses out the following roller I I3 todisengage the clutch and stop the machine. With the advancement ofsucceeding blanks into the machine this cycle of operation isautomatically repeated.

If desired the switch 58 may be used to stop the machine. By such anarrangement the machine will be automatically stopped whenever a blankfeeding shoe 38 is accidentally blocked. Also, a stop I36 may beprovided on plate H, as shown in Figure 7, to block shoe 38 and stop themachine in the event a tab in the fastening position is not stapled toand carried away by the blank.

I claim:

1. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, com prising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, andmeans for fastening the tab to the blank.

2. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab, andmeans for fastening the tab to the blank, said conveyor operating toremove the blank and connected tab from the machine during a subsequentperiod of the conveyor movement.

3. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising an intermittentlymoving conveyor for feeding a blank thru the machine, means for feedinga tab transversely of the path of movement of the blank and into afastening position underlying the blank, a guideway for the tab, meansfor fastening the tab to the blank during a rest period of the conveyor,and means for lifting the tab from its guideway prior to subsequentmovement of the conveyor.

4. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor and timed with the tab feeding means for moving theblank into registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab tothe blank.

5. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor and timed with the tab feeding means for moving the vblank into registration with the tab, and means timed with the tabfeeding means and said blank registering means for fastening the tab tothe blank.

6. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, a -movably mounted element having aretracted position behind the trailing edge of the blank in the restposition of the conveyor, means timed with the tab feeding means formoving the element forwardly to shift the blank into registration withthe tab, and means for fastening the tab to the blank.

'7. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab,means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for saidmeans, a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, and a control fingermounted in the path of movement of the blank for controlling theengagement of the clutch.

8. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab,means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for saidmeans, .a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, a cam movingin timewith said means for disengaging the clutch, and a fin ger mounted in thepath of movement of the blank for controlling the operation of saidclutch disengaging means.

9. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab,means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for saidmeans, a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, and means timed withthe conveyor for engaging the clutch.

10. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into the machine, means operative during a rest periodof the conveyor for moving the blank into registration with the tab,means for fastening the tab to the blank, drive mechanism for saidmeans, a clutch interposed in said drive mechanism, means timed with theconveyor for engaging the clutch, and a finger mounted in the path ofmovement of the blank for controlling the operation of said clutchengaging means.

11. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for movinga tab into a fastening position, an intermittently moving conveyor forfeeding a blank into approximate registration with the tab, meansoperative during a rest period of the conveyor for moving the blank intoaccurate registration with the tab, and means for fastening the tab tothe blank.

12. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for movinga tab into a fastening position, a conveyor having a lug for moving, ablank toward the fastening position, means for advancing the blank aheadof the lug and into registration with the tab, and means for fasteningthe tab to the blank.

13. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga blank longitudinally through the machine, a plurality of movablebrackets adjacent each side of the blank feeding means and arranged inpairs spaced longitudinally of the machine, means on said brackets forfeeding tabs to the blank, means on the brackets for fastening the tabsto the blank, means mounting the brackets of each pair for adjustmenttransversely of the machine, and means mounting the pairs of bracketsfor adjustment longitudinally of the machine.

14. A machine for applying tabs to a blank, comprising means for feedinga blank longitudinally through the machine, a stapling head mounted inthe path of movement of said blank,

' to the head, means for feeding a tab from the a chute for holding tabslocated alongside the chute to a position underlying the head, and head,said chute and head being arranged along means timed with said tabfeeding means for a transverse axis at right angles to the path ofoperating the stapling head.

movement of said blank, whereby a tab may be 5 fed with a straight linemotion from the chute NELS A. ANDERSON. 5

